FISH Food Banks of Pierce County

Mission:
Our mission is providing food and more to people in need with compassion, dignity and respect. Results:
In 2011, through our seven food bank locations and our mobile food bank, we provided food to over 446,000 individuals. Through October 2012, we have already served more than 460,000 individuals, a 26% increase over the same period last year. Programs:
FISH Food Banks operates seven fixed food bank locations and a mobile food bank that makes weekly visits to five additional sites. We aim to provide each client with enough food to make three nutritious meals a day for three days. No one needing assistance is turned away.

Community Reviews

Everyone, from the top to the bottom,works very hard 7 days a week to make sure this food
bank runs smoothly. It is amazing to see how many people it takes to run a food bank. it is
gratifying to know that we have helped people who are hungry to be able to set food on the
table for their familes.
Don and Janice Brennan

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

our changes for improvements is hard to say as we are stockers and food pick-up helpers, so
we do not know all the things done on the administration end but I know that there is always food
on the shelves for the hungry.
Maybe a meeting once in awhile so we can get an overview of everything.
Don and Janice Brennan

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have been involved in this food bank for around 3 years. We serve the community and do a great deal of good. The thing that most people don't get to see is the growth in our young volunteers. I have seen many young people come to get thier credits for high school graduation. A lot of these young people stay long after they have thier credits. These kids grow into caring adults in front of my eyes. I can tell that they will be involved in some type of community program for the rest of thier lives. Our food bank is here to feed people, and we do a great job of that. The extra is that we are growing and promoting the next generation of caring and commited adults in our community.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I would like to see a volunteer sharing program where our young volunteers could see more of the non-profits role in America and we could help more young people develope the ethic, morales and responsibilities that we promote.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

We love that the Edgewood Fish Food bank gives my son and I the opportunity to give back to the community. We value the people we get to work with and love the commitment the church has made by building and supporting the community center and food bank. The city of Edgewood and East Pierce county are stronger because of their faithfulness and care.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

My family has been loosely involved with the edgewood fish food bank for years. Two years ago my daughter needed community service hours, so she and I volunteered one saturday morning, and we never stopped. The community outreach and overwhelming compassion of each person involved at Fish exemplifies the necessary Christian response to a broken world: The physical needs of the clients are met with dignity, and the relationship between the clients and volunteers is warm and genuine. The core members at Fish have a commitment to be the hands of Christ to anyone who has need. In a very simple and profound way Fish food bank simply answers the call to "feed My sheep."

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

well think about it without fish and its many volunteers how many people would be without at least a meal. I help at edgewood all of the volunteers are great. I also pickup from other fish food banks and they are great as well. it takes many to help many.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I volunteer at the Edgewood Foodbank. It is amazing how many people it takes to make this operation run. It has shown me there are many great giving caring people left. Kate who runs it spends so much time at work and on her own personal time. Dale is so wonderful with everything he does. This is just a really great place helping the community.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

FISH Food Banks provides a critical service to local communities. I became aware of FISH via the Food Backpacks 4 Kids, where we work together in a partnership role for the greater Key Peninsula Community. As a volunteer Board member for both the FISH Food Bank and the Peninsula Community Foundation (parent to the Food Backpacks 4 Kids program), I have intimate knowledge of the focus on service and love to the community actively demonstrated by FISH daily.

The FISH Food Bank is managed very efficiently and is totally dedicated to its mission to provide
food and more for individuals in need with compassion, dignity and respect.. I serve the FISH Food Bank with pride and am honored to be associated with this non-profit.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I joined the board of FISH through a friend who thought my past board experience could be useful to the organization and I will admit I did not know much about the organization. It took me a very short time to realize the scope of the work and the huge demand on the very small staff.

I am so proud of FISH and the service they provide to our community. The fact that 98% of the work is completed by proud "volunteer's" many who have dedicated their time for years really says it all. Once you have witnessed the need and how kind and generous our volunteers help these individuals you will never doubt the value of FISH.

Feel free to go to our website and learn more about this powerful community resource.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have worked with several non-profits in the Pierce County area but becoming involved with FISH Food Banks of Pierce County has been a great learning experience.
The work they accomplish with less than 5 paid employees is remarkable. FISH has developed and supported a large volunteer base that is committed to the mission of feeding people with dignity. The volunteers carry out their task with great pride and are as reliable as any paid staff. I am very proud of their accomplishments and commitment.